Dense matter and gravitational waves: Listening to the symphony of space-time

Dense matter and gravitational waves: Listening to the symphony of space-time

In this talk, I will introduce the new field of gravitational-wave astronomy, which uses ripples in space and time originally predicted in Einstein's theory of gravity to learn about our universe. Ground-based gravitational-wave observatories currently under construction expect to directly measure waves from astronomical sources in the next few years. One of the most likely sources is the inspiral and merger of a neutron-star binary system, made up of incredibly dense stars that supernovae can leave behind. Measuring the gravitational-wave signals will allow us to learn about the mass and other properties of the neutron stars, and the details of these signals may also tell us something about currently-uncertain properties of extremely dense matter.

Jocelyn Read

Dr. Jocelyn Read is originally from Calgary, Alberta, Canada and did her undergraduate degree at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. She came to the U.S. for her Ph.D. in physics at the University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee, and did postdoctoral research work at the Albert Einstein Institute near Berlin in Germany and at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi. Dr. Read became an assistant professor at California State University Fullerton in 2012. She teaches courses in both astronomy and physics and regularly contributes to a general-audience physics podcast, the "Titanium Physicists" Podcast.

"What's Up?" in this month will be presented by Chris Butler

Monthly General Meeting

The OCA has a general meeting held on the second Friday of every month* at Chapman University.

These meetings are free and open to the general public.

The meetings take place in The Irvine Lecture Hall with seating for approximately 250 people.

The Irvine Lecture Hall (located adjacent to the Hashinger Science Center) is near the south east corner of the campus
and the nearest cross street is East Palm Ave and North Center Street.

The meetings start promptly at 7:30 PM.

The basic agenda, with approximate times, is as shown below.

7:00 PM - 7:30 PM Pre-meeting Slide Show

Arrival of audience. This presentation includes recent astronomical photographs taken by OCA members.

8:15 PM - 9:15 PM Main Talk
Speakers are often from JPL/Caltech and other major educational and astronomical institutions.
The level of the talks are usually appropriate for anyone who has an interest in this hobby.

9:15 PM - 9:30 PM Refreshments
Break Donuts, coffee, soda are available for a small donation.

9:30 PM - 10:00 PM "Ask an Astronomer"
Anyone can stay behind and ask a panel of experts any burning question related to this hobby.

We're about:

Join us at The Science Cafe for the latest science served fresh with a side of coffee or other beverage. We meet at venues throughout the SoCal region, doing everything from daytrips to lectures. There's something for everybody!

Whether it's attending an exhibit on Mummies in Santa Ana with homeschoolers, hearing an astronaut speak in San Diego, singles going on a daytrip to an MCAS Miramar Air Show, or science hobbyists learning about what happened to poor Pluto up in Altadena, there's something science going on near you -- no matter where you live in the SoCal region!

Schoolkids, parents, teachers, retirees, students, singles, couples, makers, and hobbyists...join your hosts as we all go together on the journey of discovery!